Shirley Smart, Demi Garcia Sabat feat. James Arben, 'Stories': Part 1: The Dragonfly ***

The kind of free-improv that is quite serene in a way. Certainly the cello, flute, drums framework lends itself to textural, acoustic development. It's not ostentatiously experimental, a factor that can bedevil a lot of improvisers' work, but seems …

Published: 31 Mar 2022. Updated: 2 years.

The kind of free-improv that is quite serene in a way. Certainly the cello, flute, drums framework lends itself to textural, acoustic development. It's not ostentatiously experimental, a factor that can bedevil a lot of improvisers' work, but seems to very well thought-through, say when a baroque sensibility meets the 21st century head on for 'Pasacaglia' which is one of the best of the tracks. Cellist Shirley Smart is increasingly prominent on the UK free-improv scene and releases such as this go part of the way to explain why. Out as a digital album on 4 April via this link

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Best so far in 2022 - January to March

A quarter way through the year and these 10 stood out as our favourite releases WALTER SMITH III AND MATTHEW STEVENS, IN COMMON III, WHIRLWIND Formidable rhythm section work and compositional prowess from this incredible superband BUGGE WESSELTOFT, …

Published: 31 Mar 2022. Updated: 2 years.

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A quarter way through the year and these 10 stood out as our favourite releases

  1. WALTER SMITH III AND MATTHEW STEVENS, IN COMMON III, WHIRLWIND Formidable rhythm section work and compositional prowess from this incredible superband

  2. BUGGE WESSELTOFT, BE AM, JAZZLAND Profound solo statements from the groundbreaking Norwegian

  3. MARK TURNER, RETURN TO THE STARS, ECM Such tenderness and incredible sax and trumpet interplay on this latest from saxophonist Mark Turner

  4. KEVIN EUBANKS AND ORRIN EVANS, EEE: THE EUBANKS EVANS EXPERIENCE, IMANI Meeting of minds on this sublime guitar-piano duo affair

  5. VINCENT PEIRANI, JOKERS, ACT Subtle trio play and and more from 21st century accordionist Peirani and company

  6. TIM BERNE AND GREGG BELISLE-CHI, MARS, INTAKT Released in January: most enjoyable avant album of the last few months

  7. IMMANUEL WILKINS, THE 7TH HAND, BLUE NOTE Wilkins continues to establish himself as the go-today alto player of today

  8. JOEL LYSSARIDES, STAY NOW, ACT A masterclass in understated pianism with a sense of hush that draws you close

  9. MARQUIS HILL, NEW GOSPEL REVISITED, EDITION State of the ahrt hard bop and more from the virtuoso trumpeter and his fine band

  10. MELISSA ALDANA, 12 STARS, BLUE NOTE A dazzling sense of melodicism and communicative improvising from the stellar saxophonist

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